Page 76 - Panama City Living Magazine September-October 2019

Elaina walked slowly down the narrow wooden walkway leading to one of the wind- ing creeks that branch off the Chipola River in Wewahitchka, the small town where her husband-to-be, Edward Taunton, grew up.
Her wedding ceremony would take place in just a few hours. It would be the first time Edward would see her in her wedding dress, a dreamy vintage-inspired gown in delicate lace. Elaina smiled when she caught a first glimpse of her husband-to-be, standing on the wooden deck, surrounded by large cypress trees, wait- ing for her with squared shoulders.
The scene looked like a fairy tale. The cypress trees that are so typical for the landscape around the creeks and rivers in Northwest Florida, stood like sentinels—silently, protectively. The sun’s rays found their way through the dense foliage and illuminated Elaina’s face. Edward turned to look at her. He smiled his warmest smile, and love filled his eyes. It felt as if time stood still. The bride and groom could not take their eyes off each other.
The ceremony would be held in just a few hours with several hun- dred family members and friends in attendance, gathering at edge of the freshwater lake adjacent to the Taunton family home.
76 • September–October 2019 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com